Can You Wash A Coat That Is Tagged "Dry Clean Only?"

I have a couple of older wool jackets from various sporting teams; they are wool and marked 'dry clean only' on the tags but there are only two places in my area that dry clean these types of coats. Both places said that it is a two week job; so I have to assume that they are going to send them elsewhere to be done. That worries me; I have a sentimental attachment to both of them and have the feeling that if I take them there, they will get 'lost' and they won't be able to replace them.
Has anyone ever tried washing something that was marked 'dry clean only' in the washer? If so, how were the results? There's no leather on them and the inner shell can be removed and I've washed that with no problems.

I've washed quite a few things that have said dry clean only and my ex mother in law even did a wedding dress that was dry clean only! All have come out fine - just put it on the coolest wash - Although I'm not going to take responsiblity if yours come out bad lol!!!

I am going to try it this afternoon and see what happens. Everyone that I have asked this morning has said that it should be fine ... it just the way that they said 'should' that worried me a little. If you hear me screaming from across the pond you'll know things didn't work out that well LOL.

Um, let's put it this way. I haven't been to the dry cleaners in years and many of my clothes have that dreaded label.
I find you can wash dresses and shirts just fine, although you may want to put them on delicate. With the coat I'd check the material and follow rules you would if you washed something else of the same material. Yours are wool, so imagine you had a wool sweater - how would you wash that?
I generally take good dresses to the dry cleaner the first 1 or 2 times just so it lasts longer, but after a few wears I'll wash it.

WAIT! I would really caution against putting something like a jacket through a wash cycle. Sure, I wash some dry clean only things too, but jackets have a lot of structure in them that could be harmed as opposed to, say, a sweater.
What I would do first is to try those self dry-cleaning kits that you put in the dryer. If that doesn;t work, then I would carefully spot treat with woolite. If you're still not satisfied, I would hand wash in Woolite. Then, if all else fails, try the washer on the gentle cycle with Woolite.

i have quite a few items made out of satin that are considered "dry clean only" . i wash them in the washer on delicate cycle and cold water only and then i hang them to dry. i have never had a problem washing them this way